Big Tour Horses for Sale

Big Tour horses for sale: Buying and selling Big Tour horses

Big Tour horses sit in a very specific, very small corner of the equestrian marketplace. These are not just “nice” competition horses; they are specialists who understand the job at Grand Prix level, whether that’s piaffe-passage and one-tempis in dressage, or 1.50–1.60m tracks in show jumping. When you talk about buying or selling a Big Tour horse, you’re dealing with a combination of athleticism, experience, soundness, and rideability that is rare – and priced accordingly.

Big Tour generally means a horse competing at or close to Grand Prix level. In dressage, that’s a horse confidently schooling or showing at Inter II and Grand Prix with all the required movements confirmed. In show jumping, we’re looking at horses regularly jumping 1.45m and up, often with FEI ranking classes on their record. These horses have years of training behind them, they know the ring, and they have learned how to manage the physical and mental pressure of big sport. That’s what makes them so valuable – and why the buying and selling process at this level needs to be careful and informed.

The typical buyer for a Big Tour horse ranges from ambitious amateurs wanting a schoolmaster to step into CDI or CSI rings, to professionals looking for that next team prospect. The market is global, with serious interest from Europe, North America, the Middle East, and increasingly Asia. Demand is strongest for horses with a consistent record, modern type, clean vet history, and a temperament that allows a rider to actually access all that training in the arena. If you’re stepping into this market, whether as a buyer or a seller, you’re not just trading a horse – you’re trading years of work, investment, and potential future results.

Buying a Big Tour horse - what you need to know

When you’re buying a Big Tour horse, what you’re really purchasing is confidence and experience. A genuine Grand Prix horse gives you a shortcut through many years of training. For buyers, that’s the main attraction: you can focus on riding the level, learning the movements in the ring, and chasing rankings or medals, rather than spending years producing a young horse and hoping it will make it. That’s why well-proven Big Tour horses typically start around €150,000–€200,000 for older schoolmasters and can easily reach €500,000–€1,000,000+ for younger, competitive, international-quality horses with strong results.

Finding the right horse at this level usually starts through trusted networks: trainers, well-known dealers, and top competition barns. Online platforms and horse marketplaces are useful for getting a feel for current prices and availability, but the best Big Tour horses for sale often change hands quietly, through word of mouth. Auctions can be an option, especially in Europe, but you need a cool head and ideally a professional who knows how to read between the lines of presentation, breeding, and performance history. Always insist on full competition records (FEI and national), unedited training and competition videos, and as much background as you can get on the horse’s management and previous riders.

Evaluating a Big Tour horse is very different from trying a young prospect. In a trial ride, you’re not just checking if you “like the feeling”; you’re testing whether you can access the horse’s buttons. In dressage, you’ll want to feel the adjustability in the piaffe-passage, the straightness and control in the changes, and the ability to collect and extend without tension. In jumping, you’re assessing balance, carefulness, power off the ground, and how rideable the horse is between the fences and in the turns, not just over a big oxer. The vetting is critical at this level: expect full clinical and radiographic evaluations, often including back and neck, flexions, and sometimes advanced imaging. Many Big Tour horses have some “stories” on their x‑rays; what matters is whether an experienced sport horse vet considers the findings manageable for ongoing high-level work.

You also need to be honest about rider suitability. A sharp, ultra-powerful 9-year-old Grand Prix jumper with a huge engine may be a dream for a professional, but a nightmare for an ambitious amateur moving up from 1.30m. Likewise, a highly sensitive Grand Prix dressage horse might shine under a quiet, tactful rider but become tense with a more active seat. Red flags when buying include horses that change hands frequently at this level, big gaps in competition records without a clear explanation, and sellers unwilling to provide vet records or allow your own vet to consult. Work with a professional you trust, know your budget, and remember: the most expensive horse is not always the best horse for you, but a “bargain” Big Tour horse can quickly become the most expensive if it’s not actually suitable or sound enough for the job.

Everything about selling Big Tour horses

On the selling side, it helps to be very clear about who your horse is for. Big Tour buyers range from junior and young riders stepping into U25 or senior Grand Prix, to adult amateurs wanting a safe teacher, to professionals looking for a horse that can do Nations Cups, World Cup qualifiers, or CDI3*/4* tours. Each of these buyer types has different priorities: an amateur might accept less scope or slightly lower marks for more rideability and safety, while a professional will prioritize potential, scope, and international results, even if the horse is more sensitive or powerful.

Preparation is everything when selling a Big Tour horse. Before you even list the horse, organize recent high-quality videos that show clear, complete tests or courses, not just highlights. Make sure your competition record is accurate and easy to read, including FEI results, rankings, and notable placings. Have up-to-date vet records ready; in this price range, buyers expect transparency and are often more comfortable moving forward when they see a well-documented medical history and management plan. Present the horse fresh, fit, and correctly muscled, with recent professional photos and videos that show its way of going on a normal day, not just at its absolute peak.

In terms of pricing strategy, know the current market. A confirmed but older (say 14–16) Grand Prix schoolmaster with a strong record might realistically be priced between €120,000 and €250,000, depending on soundness and how “easy” it is to ride. A 9–11-year-old Grand Prix jumper winning 1.50–1.60m classes or a dressage horse scoring 70%+ at CDI Grand Prix can easily be in the €300,000–€800,000 bracket, with team-quality prospects going higher. Market conditions matter: in Olympic or championship cycles, demand and prices for proven Big Tour horses often rise. Conversely, economic slowdowns can make buyers more cautious and push sellers to be more flexible or creative with terms.

When selling, choose your marketplace wisely. Good options include reputable online sales platforms focused on sport horses, high-level auctions, and direct marketing through trainers, agents, and at competitions where buyers can see the horse in action. Buyers at this level look for honesty, consistency, and a clear story: where the horse has been, what it’s doing now, and what it is realistically suited for in the next three to five years. Timing can also help: listing a horse when it’s in form, with recent clean rounds or good Grand Prix scores, often leads to faster, more serious interest. If you present your Big Tour horse with clear information, realistic pricing, and professional communication, you’re far more likely to reach the right buyer – someone who appreciates the years of work behind the horse and is ready to carry it into the next chapter of its career.